What happened to the Sharks?

Clearly the biggest shock of the Super 14 this season happened on Saturday morning when the Sharks took on the Reds in Australia. Virtually no one gave the Reds a chance. Looking at the Super Bru predictions, I think only 6% of everyone who plays Super Bru picked the Reds to win. I will not lie, I never saw this one coming. Credit fully goes to the Reds. People are talking about the Reds playing entertaining rugby this season and hats off to them for not trying to change their game plan. There is a belief about the Reds this season that this brand of rugby their playing will bring great results for them. Confidence must now be sky high in the Reds camp following this win over the Sharks.

The Sharks have never traveled well, especially in Australia. But I thought that all that would change and they would easily beat the Reds on Saturday. The Sharks just did not look up for the game. It simply was not the same Sharks team we had seen win all their games so far this season.

The injury to Sharks flyhalf Ruan Pienaar after 32 minutes proved to be a major turning point in the game as Frans Steyn stepped up into the flyhalf position. Time and time again I have said that Steyn is not a flyhalf! And Saturday just went to prove my point again. The guy is a great rugby player but not at number 10. I am sure many of you who watched the game will agree with me and that knock on in his own try box was just shocking.

The Sharks have to bounce back this week when they take on the Force in Perth. Will they continue with their poor form in Australia or will they finally win down under? Just because the Sharks lost to the Reds, it does not mean they are a bad team. It was a really bad day at the office for them but credit must go to the Reds for this 25-13 win.